Briana Adesso, a dedicated 31-year-old elementary school special education teacher from New York, has always embraced a healthy lifestyle. Regular gym sessions and a nutritious diet were integral to her routine. However, in late 2022, she noticed an alarming change: she began to gain weight inexplicably, accumulating approximately 40 pounds over just six months. This weight gain was particularly puzzling given her active lifestyle.
Alongside the unexpected weight gain, Briana experienced troubling symptoms, including brain fog, persistent fatigue, and a lack of energy. There were moments when her fingertips would go numb, adding to her distress. As a teacher who is constantly on her feet and also works a serving job that demands considerable movement, Briana felt embarrassed about her changing appearance. "I would still attend social gatherings, but I wasn't as confident as I usually am," she shared with DailyMail.com.
After enduring these symptoms for several months, Briana decided to consult her primary care doctor. Following a thorough evaluation, she was advised to undergo blood tests to rule out serious health conditions, including cancer. Fortunately, the tests returned negative, but this left her still searching for answers.
Her doctor recommended an ultrasound of her thyroid, which is a butterfly-shaped gland responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and development. The ultrasound revealed multiple benign growths on her thyroid, which were disrupting hormone production. This led to a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, resulting in a slowed metabolism.
Hypothyroidism can significantly impact the body's metabolism, which is the process of converting food and drink into energy. A slow metabolism means fewer calories are burned at rest, making it easier to gain weight and challenging to lose it. The condition can also lead to increased appetite, food cravings, muscle weakness, thinning hair, dry skin, impaired memory function, low moods, and changes in blood pressure. Approximately five percent of individuals aged 12 and older in the United States experience some degree of hypothyroidism.
Dr. Eve Bloomgarden, an endocrinologist at Northwestern Medicine, explains, "Hypothyroidism from any cause results in a decrease in energy metabolism, or the basal metabolic rate. Patients often experience a modest amount of weight gain prior to diagnosis because of this metabolic slowing." Dr. Kimberly Bethel from the Trotwood Physician Center in Ohio further elaborated, "The thyroid’s function is to regulate the metabolism of the body - how fast or slow things go. It affects everything from the top of the head all the way down to the toes. And we know it affects a person’s weight."
In addition to her thyroid issues, Briana was diagnosed with insulin resistance, a condition where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, potentially leading to weight gain. Following her diagnosis in 2023, she was prescribed Synthroid, a common medication for hypothyroidism, along with semaglutide, the active ingredient found in popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. Despite facing obstacles, including her insurance ceasing to cover semaglutide, Briana remained committed to her healthy lifestyle by continuing to exercise and maintain a balanced diet.
Since initiating her treatment regimen, Briana has successfully lost 50 pounds. She expresses immense gratitude for semaglutide, acknowledging the stigma surrounding its use but emphasizing its pivotal role in her weight loss journey. "Having both hypothyroidism and insulin resistance made it nearly impossible for me to lose weight, no matter how many diets I went on or the amount of exercise I did," she said. "Unfortunately, my insurance stopped covering this medication, and I was paying out of pocket for many months, but it truly was such a key factor in my success of losing weight."
Briana Adesso's story highlights the complex relationship between thyroid health, metabolism, and weight management, reminding us of the importance of seeking medical advice when faced with unexplained changes in health.
